Introduction
In June 2006, AMMS member Ley Reynolds of Platypus Publications visited the Tank Museum of the People's Liberation Army, outside of Beijing. Following is his report which includes some great images of armour on display, together with notes on location and getting there for those of you planning a trip. Over to Ley ...
The Tank Museum of the People's Liberation Army is one of the lesser known AFV collections in the world and is not particularly easy to access. The accompanying photographs show the results of my brief visit to the Museum in early June 2006. At the time, there was some work going on to move the non-vehicle displays into a refurbished vehicle workshop building and, although the lighting was not particularly good, it looked like it will become a first class facility.
A general view of part of the collection and something odd!
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Location and Getting There
The Museum is located 50 kilometres outside of Beijing, at Troop 8872, Yang Fang, Chang Ping County. Public transport in this area is non-existent so anyone contemplating a visit should arrange in advance for a car with guide / driver from a reputable tour company. The cost should be about 800RMB for the day.
You should also have the tour company check that you can gain access on your chosen day - the Museum is located on an active military base and is therefore apparently closed at times. Furthermore, you should be aware that if there are access problems, the locals may well deny that the Museum exists! Poking around by foreigners can still arouse suspicions!
Photographed: June 2006 at Chang Ping County, Peoples Republic of China. Photo Series and Text © Ley Reynolds 2006.
Vehicles Featured:
PLA Type 59 Medium TankUS Equipment
US M4 High Speed TractorJapanese Equipment
Type 94 Tankette Model 2594 (Early)The Type 59 was China's first MBT and is the longest serving and most produced tank in China's inventory.
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The Type 59B was a development of the Type 59 incorporating new technology and components, entering service in 1984.
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The Type 64 Tank Tractor was based on the T59 chassis and is a "transient" engineering vehicle intended for emergency use.
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The Type 69 was a development of the Type 59 and was the first indigenous Chinese tank design, entering service in the 1970's.
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The Type 80 was a second generation Chinese design produced in the 1980's, with major improvements in firepower, protection and mobility.
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The Storm 1 was developed for a "middle eastern country" but never proceeded to production. The chassis is almost identical to the Type 80 and the vehicle features a welded turret and extended rifled 105mm main armament.
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According to the accompanying plaque, the Type 96 is the latest development of the Type 88 MBT by the PLA.
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According to the accompanying plaque, the Type 63 was produced from the 1960's until 1985.
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According to the accompanying plaque, the Type 63 Light Amphibious Tank entered service in 1963.
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According to the accompanying plaque, the Type 70 Self Propelled Rocket System entered service in the 1970's and was based on the Type 63 APC.
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According to the accompanying plaque, the Type 85 is the basis for a family of over 10 variants.
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China began development of a heavy tank in 1969, with this prototype being delivered in 1970. Since the turret was not ready, a welded structure of armoured plate was fitted. Further development was interrupted by the Cultural Revolution and this vehicle remains the only development of a heavy tank by China.
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No details on these three vehicles, which hold ground as gate guardians for the Museum.
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No details on this vehicle.
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China received its first SU 100's in 1955 and purchased 99 in total.
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No details available.
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No details available.
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No details available.
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Much US sourced equipment was captured from Nationalist forces after WWII. Many examples are on display in the Museum.
Plaque claims that this tractor is a "radar and command" vehicle, with roof mounted radar and a generator. However, as pointed out by Steve Zaloga on the Missing Lynx site, while some of these vehicles were used to tow artillery tracking radars and generators in Korea, the equipment wasn't mounted on top.
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Another vehicle captured from the Nationalists and used by the PLA.
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No details available. Possibly captured from Nationalists in 1949.
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No details available. Three different M3A3 Lights on display, again, possibly captured from Nationalists in 1949.
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Early Type 94 with:
Compare this vehicle with the later Type 94s featured elsewhere on this site preserved at the Australian War Memorial and privately owned.
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Standard Type 2597 Chi-ha Medium Tank with 57mm gun developed by Mitsubishi. More inforamtion can be found in the separate walkaround feature on this vehicle.
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